Background: and Purpose Ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA) are associated with a mortality rate of up to 40% in the Chinese population, highlighting the critical need for targeted treatment interventions for at-risk individuals. Although the impact of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene mutations on susceptibility to intracranial aneurysms (IA) is well documented, the potential connection between ALDH2 rs671 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and RIA remains unexplored. Given the increased prevalence of ALDH2 gene mutations among Chinese Han individuals, it is clinically relevant to investigate the link between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and IA rupture. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 546 patients diagnosed with IA to investigate the association between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and the risk of IA rupture. Results: The ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*2) was significantly more prevalent in patients with unruptured IA (UIA) than in those with RIA (32.56% vs. 18.58%, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that people with the ALDH2 mutation (ALDH2*1/*2 and ALDH2*2/*2 gene type) had a significantly reduced odds ratio (OR=0.49; 95% confidence level [CI] 0.27–0.88; P=0.018) for RIAs. Age-specific subgroup analysis indicated that the ALDH2 mutation provided a stronger protective effect in individuals aged 60 years and above with IA compared to those under 60 years old (OR=0.38 vs. OR=0.52, both P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence of RIA was significantly higher in individuals with a normal ALDH2 gene (ALDH2*1/*1) than in those with an ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*1/*2 or ALDH2*2/*2). ALDH2 rs671 SNP may serve as a protective factor against RIA in the Chinese Han population.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic significance of germline mutations in patients with myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) .Methods:Clinical data from 407 patients with MDS [male, 252; female, 155; median age, 64 (range, 19-85) years] diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical features and prognostic effects of germline mutations were evaluated.Results:The prevalence of germline mutations in patients with MDS was 5.9% (24/407), peaking at 20.0% in the group aged 21-30 years. The spectrum of germline mutations comprised DDX41 (9 cases, 2.2%), TP53 (3 cases, 0.7%), and single cases of RUNX1, TET2, MPL, CBL, ATRX, CEBPA, ETV6, IDH1, KDM5C, SBDS, GNAS, and CTC1. Patients with germline mutations exhibited significantly lower peripheral WBC counts than those without (1.87×10 9/L vs 2.50×10 9/L, P=0.018), but showed comparable median overall survival (21.3 months vs 21.1 months, P=0.97). Patients with DDX41 germline mutations, compared with those with other germline mutations, had a significantly older median age (65 vs 54 years, P=0.010), lower WBC counts (1.51×10 9/L vs 2.31×10 9/L, P=0.040), increased mean corpuscular volume (111.80 fl vs 97.25 fl, P=0.003), and a higher prevalence of normal karyotypes (100.0% vs 53.3%, P=0.022). The most frequently co-occurring somatic mutations in DDX41 germline mutation carriers were ASXL1, TET2, and RUNX1. Conclusion:In this study, the detection rate of germline mutations in MDS patients was 5.9% (24/407), peaking at 20% in the group aged 21-30 years. DDX41 and TP53 were the most prevalent germline mutations. DDX41 mutation carriers displayed distinct clinical characteristics; however, germline mutations overall showed no significant prognostic effect.

Background: and Purpose Ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA) are associated with a mortality rate of up to 40% in the Chinese population, highlighting the critical need for targeted treatment interventions for at-risk individuals. Although the impact of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene mutations on susceptibility to intracranial aneurysms (IA) is well documented, the potential connection between ALDH2 rs671 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and RIA remains unexplored. Given the increased prevalence of ALDH2 gene mutations among Chinese Han individuals, it is clinically relevant to investigate the link between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and IA rupture. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 546 patients diagnosed with IA to investigate the association between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and the risk of IA rupture. Results: The ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*2) was significantly more prevalent in patients with unruptured IA (UIA) than in those with RIA (32.56% vs. 18.58%, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that people with the ALDH2 mutation (ALDH2*1/*2 and ALDH2*2/*2 gene type) had a significantly reduced odds ratio (OR=0.49; 95% confidence level [CI] 0.27–0.88; P=0.018) for RIAs. Age-specific subgroup analysis indicated that the ALDH2 mutation provided a stronger protective effect in individuals aged 60 years and above with IA compared to those under 60 years old (OR=0.38 vs. OR=0.52, both P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence of RIA was significantly higher in individuals with a normal ALDH2 gene (ALDH2*1/*1) than in those with an ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*1/*2 or ALDH2*2/*2). ALDH2 rs671 SNP may serve as a protective factor against RIA in the Chinese Han population.

Given the increasing concern regarding antibacterial resistance, the antimicrobial properties of naphthoquinones have recently attracted significant attention. While 1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives have been extensively studied, the antibacterial properties of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives remain relatively unexplored. This study presents a comprehensive in vitro and in vivo analysis of the antibacterial activity of 35 naturally sourced and chemically synthesized derivatives of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. Kirby-Bauer antibiotic testing identified three compounds with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with one compound (PNP-02) demonstrating activity comparable to vancomycin in minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time-kill assays. Microscopic and biochemical analyses revealed that PNP-02 adversely affects the cell wall and cell membrane of MRSA. Mechanistic investigations, including proteomic sequencing analyses, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR assays, indicated that PNP-02 compromises cell membrane integrity by inhibiting arginine biosynthesis and pyrimidine metabolism pathways, thereby increasing membrane permeability and inducing bacterial death. In an in vivo mouse model of skin wound healing, PNP-02 exhibited antibacterial efficacy similar to vancomycin. The compound demonstrated low toxicity to cultured human cells and in hemolysis assays and remained stable during serum incubation. These findings suggest that PNP-02 possesses promising bioactivity against MRSA and represents a potential novel antibacterial agent.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry* ; Naphthoquinones/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mice ; Humans ; Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology* ; Molecular Structure

Background: and Purpose Ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA) are associated with a mortality rate of up to 40% in the Chinese population, highlighting the critical need for targeted treatment interventions for at-risk individuals. Although the impact of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene mutations on susceptibility to intracranial aneurysms (IA) is well documented, the potential connection between ALDH2 rs671 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and RIA remains unexplored. Given the increased prevalence of ALDH2 gene mutations among Chinese Han individuals, it is clinically relevant to investigate the link between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and IA rupture. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 546 patients diagnosed with IA to investigate the association between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and the risk of IA rupture. Results: The ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*2) was significantly more prevalent in patients with unruptured IA (UIA) than in those with RIA (32.56% vs. 18.58%, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that people with the ALDH2 mutation (ALDH2*1/*2 and ALDH2*2/*2 gene type) had a significantly reduced odds ratio (OR=0.49; 95% confidence level [CI] 0.27–0.88; P=0.018) for RIAs. Age-specific subgroup analysis indicated that the ALDH2 mutation provided a stronger protective effect in individuals aged 60 years and above with IA compared to those under 60 years old (OR=0.38 vs. OR=0.52, both P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence of RIA was significantly higher in individuals with a normal ALDH2 gene (ALDH2*1/*1) than in those with an ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*1/*2 or ALDH2*2/*2). ALDH2 rs671 SNP may serve as a protective factor against RIA in the Chinese Han population.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic significance of germline mutations in patients with myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) .Methods:Clinical data from 407 patients with MDS [male, 252; female, 155; median age, 64 (range, 19-85) years] diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical features and prognostic effects of germline mutations were evaluated.Results:The prevalence of germline mutations in patients with MDS was 5.9% (24/407), peaking at 20.0% in the group aged 21-30 years. The spectrum of germline mutations comprised DDX41 (9 cases, 2.2%), TP53 (3 cases, 0.7%), and single cases of RUNX1, TET2, MPL, CBL, ATRX, CEBPA, ETV6, IDH1, KDM5C, SBDS, GNAS, and CTC1. Patients with germline mutations exhibited significantly lower peripheral WBC counts than those without (1.87×10 9/L vs 2.50×10 9/L, P=0.018), but showed comparable median overall survival (21.3 months vs 21.1 months, P=0.97). Patients with DDX41 germline mutations, compared with those with other germline mutations, had a significantly older median age (65 vs 54 years, P=0.010), lower WBC counts (1.51×10 9/L vs 2.31×10 9/L, P=0.040), increased mean corpuscular volume (111.80 fl vs 97.25 fl, P=0.003), and a higher prevalence of normal karyotypes (100.0% vs 53.3%, P=0.022). The most frequently co-occurring somatic mutations in DDX41 germline mutation carriers were ASXL1, TET2, and RUNX1. Conclusion:In this study, the detection rate of germline mutations in MDS patients was 5.9% (24/407), peaking at 20% in the group aged 21-30 years. DDX41 and TP53 were the most prevalent germline mutations. DDX41 mutation carriers displayed distinct clinical characteristics; however, germline mutations overall showed no significant prognostic effect.

Objective:To investigate the effect of high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet combined with radiotherapy on the tumor microenvironment of mice with lung xenografts.Methods:C57BL/6J mice were selected to establish the Lewis lung cancer model, and they were divided into the normal diet group, the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group, the normal diet + radiotherapy group, and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group, with 18 mice in each group. The mice in the normal diet group and the normal diet + radiotherapy group were fed with the normal diet with 12.11% fat for energy supply, and the mice in the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group were fed with high-fat and low-carbohydratediet with 45.00% fat for energy. On the 12th to 14th days, the tumor sites of the mice in the normal diet + radiotherapy group and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group were treated with radiotherapy, and the irradiation dose was 24 Gy/3f. The body weight, tumor volume, blood glucose and blood ketone level, liver and kidney function, and survival status of the mice were observed and monitored. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the tumor-associated microangiogenesis molecule (CD34) and lymphatic endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1), Sirius staining was used to detect collagen fibers, and multiplex immunofluorescence was used to detect CD8 and programmed death-1 (PD-1). Expression of immune cell phenotypes (CD3, CD4, CD8, and Treg) was detected by flow cytometry.Results:On the 27th day after inoculation, the body weigh of the common diet group was(24.78±2.22)g, which was significantly higher than that of the common diet + radiotherapy group [(22.15±0.48)g, P=0.030] and high-fat low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group [(22.02±0.77)g, P=0.031)]. On the 15th day after inoculation, the tumor volume of the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group was (220.88±130.05) mm 3, which was significantly smaller than that of the normal diet group [(504.37±328.48) mm 3, P=0.042)] and the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet group [(534.26±230.42) mm 3, P=0.016], but there was no statistically significant difference compared with the normal diet + radiotherapy group [(274.64±160.97) mm 3]. In the 4th week, the blood glucose values of the mice in the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group were lower than those in the normal diet group, with the value being (8.00±0.36) mmol/L and (9.57±0.40) mmol/L, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P＜0.05). The blood ketone values of the mice in the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group were higher than those in the normal diet group, with the value being (1.00±0.20) mmol/L and (0.63±0.06) mmol/L, respectively, in the second week. In the third week, the blood ketone values of the two groups of mice were (0.90±0.17) mmol/L and (0.70±0.10) mmol/L, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P＜0.05). On the 30th day after inoculation, there were no significant differences in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and urea between the normal diet group and the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet group (all P＞0.05). The hearts, livers, spleens, lungs, and kidneys of the mice in each group had no obvious toxic changes and tumor metastasis. In the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group, the expression of CD8 was up-regulated in the tumor tissues of mice, and the expressions of PD-1, CD34, LYVE-1, and collagen fibers were down-regulated. The proportion of CD8 + T cells in the paratumoral lymph nodes of the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group was (25.13±0.97)%, higher than that of the normal diet group [(20.60±2.23)%, P＜0.050] and the normal diet + radiotherapy group [(19.26±3.07)%, P＜0.05], but there was no statistically significant difference with the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group [(22.03±1.75)%, P＞0.05]. The proportion, of CD4 + T cells in the lymph nodes adjacent to the tumor in the normal diet + radiotherapy group (31.33±5.16)% and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group (30.63±1.70)% were higher than that in the normal diet group [(20.27±2.15)%, P＜0.05] and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group (23.70±2.62, P＜0.05). Treg cells accounted for the highest (16.58±5.10)% of T cells in the para-tumor lymph nodes of the normal diet + radiotherapy group, but compared with the normal diet group, the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group, and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group, there was no statistically significant difference (all P＞0.05). Conclusion:High-fat and low-carbohydrate diet plus radiotherapy can enhance the recruitment and function of immune effector cells in the tumor microenvironment, inhibit tumor microangiogenesis, and thus inhibit tumor growth.

Objective This study aimed to explore the effects of bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP-2)encapsula-ted in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)microcap-sules with different molecular weights on the osteogenic ability of osteoblasts.Methods PLGA microcapsules with different molecular weights(12 000,30 000)encap-sulating BMP-2,were prepared using a dual-channel mi-croinjection pump.The morphology and structure of the microcapsules were characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.The sustained-release performance of the microcapsules was characterized by phosphate buffered saline immersion method.The cell compatibility of the microcapsules was detected by the Calcein-AM/PI stain-ing and CCK-8 method.The chemotactic effect of BMP-2-encapsulated microcapsules on MC3T3-E1 cells after 48 h of treatment was detected by the Transwell assay.The alkaline phosphatase activity assay and Alizarin Red S staining were used to characterize the effect of microcapsules on the osteogenic ability of MC3T3-E1 cells.Results Both types of mi-crocapsules with different molecular weights exhibited smooth surfaces,as well as uniform and good cell compatibility.The chemotactic effect of the 12 000 microcapsules was outstanding.The 30 000 microcapsules had a longer sustained-release time,and the initial burst release was reduced by approximately 25%compared with the 12 000 microcapsules.In addition,30 000 microcapsules performed better in long-term osteogenesis induction than 12 000 microcapsules.Conclu-sion In this study,the release of BMP-2 is regulated by adjusting the molecular weight of PLGA,and the results indi-cate that 30 000 microcapsules can better induce the long-term osteogenic ability of MC3T3-E1 cells.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypomethylating agents (HMA) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) .Methods:A total of 409 MDS patients from 45 hospitals in Zhejiang province who received at least four consecutive cycles of HMA monotherapy as initial therapy were enrolled to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HMA. Mann-Whitney U or Chi-square tests were used to compare the differences in the clinical data. Logistic regression and Cox regression were used to analyze the factors affecting efficacy and survival. Kaplan-Meier was used for survival analysis. Results:Patients received HMA treatment for a median of 6 cycles (range, 4-25 cycles) . The complete remission (CR) rate was 33.98% and the overall response rate (ORR) was 77.02%. Multivariate analysis revealed that complex karyotype ( P=0.02, OR=0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.84) was an independent favorable factor for CR rate. TP53 mutation ( P=0.02, OR=0.22, 95% CI 0.06-0.77) was a predictive factor for a higher ORR. The median OS for the HMA-treated patients was 25.67 (95% CI 21.14-30.19) months. HMA response ( P=0.036, HR=0.47, 95% CI 0.23-0.95) was an independent favorable prognostic factor, whereas complex karyotype ( P=0.024, HR=2.14, 95% CI 1.10-4.15) , leukemia transformation ( P<0.001, HR=2.839, 95% CI 1.64-4.92) , and TP53 mutation ( P=0.012, HR=2.19, 95% CI 1.19-4.07) were independent adverse prognostic factors. There was no significant difference in efficacy and survival between the reduced and standard doses of HMA. The CR rate and ORR of MDS patients treated with decitabine and azacitidine were not significantly different. The median OS of patients treated with decitabine was longer compared with that of patients treated with azacitidine (29.53 months vs 20.17 months, P=0.007) . The incidence of bone marrow suppression and pneumonia in the decitabine group was higher compared with that in the azacitidine group. Conclusion:Continuous and regular use of appropriate doses of hypomethylating agents may benefit MDS patients to the greatest extent if it is tolerated.

Objective:To investigate the effect of high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet combined with radiotherapy on the tumor microenvironment of mice with lung xenografts.Methods:C57BL/6J mice were selected to establish the Lewis lung cancer model, and they were divided into the normal diet group, the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group, the normal diet + radiotherapy group, and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group, with 18 mice in each group. The mice in the normal diet group and the normal diet + radiotherapy group were fed with the normal diet with 12.11% fat for energy supply, and the mice in the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group were fed with high-fat and low-carbohydratediet with 45.00% fat for energy. On the 12th to 14th days, the tumor sites of the mice in the normal diet + radiotherapy group and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group were treated with radiotherapy, and the irradiation dose was 24 Gy/3f. The body weight, tumor volume, blood glucose and blood ketone level, liver and kidney function, and survival status of the mice were observed and monitored. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the tumor-associated microangiogenesis molecule (CD34) and lymphatic endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1), Sirius staining was used to detect collagen fibers, and multiplex immunofluorescence was used to detect CD8 and programmed death-1 (PD-1). Expression of immune cell phenotypes (CD3, CD4, CD8, and Treg) was detected by flow cytometry.Results:On the 27th day after inoculation, the body weigh of the common diet group was(24.78±2.22)g, which was significantly higher than that of the common diet + radiotherapy group [(22.15±0.48)g, P=0.030] and high-fat low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group [(22.02±0.77)g, P=0.031)]. On the 15th day after inoculation, the tumor volume of the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group was (220.88±130.05) mm 3, which was significantly smaller than that of the normal diet group [(504.37±328.48) mm 3, P=0.042)] and the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet group [(534.26±230.42) mm 3, P=0.016], but there was no statistically significant difference compared with the normal diet + radiotherapy group [(274.64±160.97) mm 3]. In the 4th week, the blood glucose values of the mice in the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group were lower than those in the normal diet group, with the value being (8.00±0.36) mmol/L and (9.57±0.40) mmol/L, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P＜0.05). The blood ketone values of the mice in the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group were higher than those in the normal diet group, with the value being (1.00±0.20) mmol/L and (0.63±0.06) mmol/L, respectively, in the second week. In the third week, the blood ketone values of the two groups of mice were (0.90±0.17) mmol/L and (0.70±0.10) mmol/L, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P＜0.05). On the 30th day after inoculation, there were no significant differences in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and urea between the normal diet group and the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet group (all P＞0.05). The hearts, livers, spleens, lungs, and kidneys of the mice in each group had no obvious toxic changes and tumor metastasis. In the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group, the expression of CD8 was up-regulated in the tumor tissues of mice, and the expressions of PD-1, CD34, LYVE-1, and collagen fibers were down-regulated. The proportion of CD8 + T cells in the paratumoral lymph nodes of the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group was (25.13±0.97)%, higher than that of the normal diet group [(20.60±2.23)%, P＜0.050] and the normal diet + radiotherapy group [(19.26±3.07)%, P＜0.05], but there was no statistically significant difference with the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group [(22.03±1.75)%, P＞0.05]. The proportion, of CD4 + T cells in the lymph nodes adjacent to the tumor in the normal diet + radiotherapy group (31.33±5.16)% and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group (30.63±1.70)% were higher than that in the normal diet group [(20.27±2.15)%, P＜0.05] and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group (23.70±2.62, P＜0.05). Treg cells accounted for the highest (16.58±5.10)% of T cells in the para-tumor lymph nodes of the normal diet + radiotherapy group, but compared with the normal diet group, the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group, and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group, there was no statistically significant difference (all P＞0.05). Conclusion:High-fat and low-carbohydrate diet plus radiotherapy can enhance the recruitment and function of immune effector cells in the tumor microenvironment, inhibit tumor microangiogenesis, and thus inhibit tumor growth.